‘Michael Jackson’ loses weight; ready to thrill fans again
Published:Saturday | October 26, 2024 | 12:07 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
Popular Michael Jackson impersonator, Nixon Hall, is back on the entertainment scene, having lost the extra body weight which was a barrier to him performing the slick, sleek, dance moves made popular by the late, pencil-slim entertainer.
“I was out of the spotlight for a while because I had put on a bit of weight, but now I am losing it. Yuh see all this jacket, it couldn’t button,” Michael Jackson, who is also a chef, told The Gleaner, in reference to the red jacket that he wore when performing Thriller.
With a laugh, he added that nobody wanted to see a fat Michael Jackson performing, so he decided that he had to do something about it.
“Entertainment is my first love. I’m performing from I was 15 … that is nearly 30 years ago. I am the biggest Michael Jackson fan and I used to study his dance moves … from he did Rock My World. I used to take my mother jheri [curl] wig and put it on my head and dance to Michael Jackson songs on my verandah. People passing by used to stop and watch and they loved it and encouraged me,” Jackson added.
The Portmore resident, who has travelled beyond the shores of Jamaica to perform as Michael Jackson, gave a memorable performance at the Port Royal Seafood Festival on Sunday, keenly capturing and interpreting the fluid, sensuous, moves as he delivered songs such as Billie Jean.
Dressed in the trademark Michael Jackson-inspired outfits – tight black pants, stopping at the ankles, with white socks showing, white merino, black jacket, hat and glittering gloves, he thrilled with a drama-filled 20 minute-set, dancing, singing and scoring high marks as he brought the King of Pop to life.
EXCITING PERFORMANCE
During the performance of Thriller, he even invited three ghouls to accompany him on stage, triggering a delightful mix of fear and excitement in children and adults alike as he sent the kids scampering for cover. Their dance routine was off the chain, as they performed a version of the iconic Thriller music video that showcased a zombie apocalypse.
“Me and my dancers practise six days per week,” he explained when asked about the synchronised movements. “It’s been a while since I performed and I was so happy when I got the call for this show. In the past, I used to hide from the press, but now I want to change that up.”
In the 15 years since Michael Jackson’s passing, he has remained in demand, although he shared that at first he thought that his career was finished.
“I was devastated when Michael died. I even got sick and end up in hospital … neva did a eat. I cried a lot... I bawled like a baby,” he recalled, admitting that even talking about the King of Pop’s death still brought tears to his eyes.
A more pleasant occurrence, however, gave him the courage to carry on. Not long after Michael Jackson’s June 25, 2009 death, he went to Spanish Town and was mobbed by fans.
“Is like the whole Spanish Town come down on me. Police had to start directing traffic and all that stuff. Now, I feel like Michael is a part of me when I put on my costume,” he shared.
Jackson has worked out performances varying from the shortest, which lasts 20 minutes, to the longest which lasts for 45 minutes.
“It all depends on the time the time that the promoters give me. If I do the 45 minutes it has a more impact and I do Heal the World and then you see me cry from there. I really love Michael Jackson,” Jackson said, adding that his favourite song from the legend’s repertoire is Billie Jean.